Christopher Peter Meloni (born on April 2, 1961) is an American Emmy-nominated actor known for his near opposite roles as the protective and committed Det. Elliot Stabler on the NBC drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and as the bisexual serial killer Chris Keller on HBO's Oz.
Originally from Washington DC, Chris now lives in New York with his production designer wife, Sherman Williams. Chris worked as a construction worker prior to getting his acting break. He got a degree in history at the University of Colorado.
(23 March 2001) First child, daughter Sophia Eva Pietra, born in Los Angeles.
Used to work as a bouncer, a bartender, and a personal trainer before launching his acting career.
Is half Italian, half French-Canadian (Quebecois)
Son, Dante Amadeo, born January 2, 2004
His two best known characters are on opposite sides of the law. On "Oz" (1997), he played Chris Keller, a bisexual, perverted serial killer who terrorizes his fellow prisoners. On _"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999)_, he plays Elliot Stabler, a sex-crimes cop so protective of his family and so intense in his hatred of criminals like Keller that he fantasizes about "getting away" with killing them. Ironically, Meloni's acting background is mainly in comedy.
Is often said to resemble a young Robert De Niro.
Particularly early on in his career, he was often confused for actor Elias Koteas.
Meloni and his wife live in New York City and have two children, Sophia and Dante, both born to them by a surrogate mother.
Signed a deal to continue "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (1999) for two more seasons in which he will be paid $6.5 million annually (2007).
An accomplished card shark.
